"SHEPHERDS OF THE FLOCK"
Their Qualifications - Negative QualitiesINTRODUCTION
1. This is our sixth lesson on the subject of elders...
a. We began with an introduction to the office, focusing on terms
used to describe them
b. We considered their work and responsibility as ordained by God
c. We noted some preliminary considerations regarding their
qualifications
d. We examined the familial qualifications of an elder
e. We canvassed the positive qualifications of an elder
2. Remember that in the two lists (1Ti 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9), the
qualifications contain both...
a. Positive qualities (what an elder must be)
b. Negative qualities (what an elder must not be)
[We now turn our attention to the "Negative Qualities" required of
elders, the first being...]
I. NOT GIVEN TO WINE (1Ti 3:3; Tit 1:7)A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., paroinos - "This word not only signifies one who is
inordinately attached to wine, a winebibber or tippler, but
also one who is imperious, abusive, insolent, whether through
wine or otherwise." - Clarke
2. Translated as:
a. "not given to wine" (KJV, NKJV)
b. "not addicted to wine" (NASB)
c. "no brawler" (ASV)
d. "not a drunkard" (NRSV)
e. "who does not transgress over wine" (Syriac version)
f. "not insolent through wine" (Arabic version)
3. Used elsewhere:
a. The word is found only in these two lists - 1Ti 3:3; Tit 1:7
b. Though the same idea is expressed in regards to deacons
- cf. 1Ti 3:8B. THE APPLICATION...
1. "No more dangerous and hurtful practice is known to man that
the use of strong drink. An elder must set a good example in
all things." - Lipscomb
2. "The same inspired author who advises Timothy to use a little
wine for the sake of his stomach and frequent illnesses (1 Ti
5:23), also clearly declares that one who fails to practice
moderation has no right to a place in the presbytery. A wine-
bibber, tippler, or drunkard cannot be a worthy overseer."
- HendriksenII. NOT VIOLENT (1Ti 3:3; Tit 1:7)A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., plektes - "bruiser, ready for a blow; a pugnacious,
contentious, quarrelsome person" - Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "not violent" (NKJV, NRSV)
b. "no striker" (KJV, ASV)
c. "not pugnacious" (NASB)
3. Used elsewhere:
a. The word is found only in these two lists - 1Ti 3:3; Tit 1:7
b. Its close connection to the abuse of wine is akin to that
found in Pr 23:29-30B. THE APPLICATION...
1. An elder must not be "ungoverned in temper, ready to resent
insult or wrong, real or imaginary, quarrelsome, or ready to
fight." - Lipscomb
2. "He must be no striker; not quarrelsome; not ready to strike a
person who may displease him; no persecutor of those who may
differ from him; not prone, as one wittily said, 'To prove his
doctrine orthodox By apostolic blows and knocks'." - ClarkeIII. NOT GREEDY FOR MONEY (1Ti 3:3; Tit 1:7)A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., aischrokerdes - "eager for base gain, greedy for money"
- Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "not greedy for money" (NKJV)
b. "not greedy of filthy lucre" (KJV)
c. Omitted in 1Ti 3:3 (ASV, NASB, NRSV) - see reason why below
d. "not greedy of filthy lucre" (ASV, Tit 1:7)
e. "not fond of sordid gain" (NASB, Tit 1:7)
f. "not greedy for gain" (NRSV, Tit 1:7)
3. Used elsewhere:
a. In reference to deacons - 1Ti 3:8
b. A similar word used by Peter regarding elders - 1Pe 5:2B. THE APPLICATION...
1. "not covetous of getting money, of amassing wealth and riches
together; or desirous of popular applause and glory from men."
- Gill
2. "This clause is not in the Alexandrian copy, nor in five of
Beza's manuscripts and other copies, nor is it in the Vulgate
Latin version, nor in any of the Oriental versions; it seems to
be transcribed from Tit 1:7. And indeed it is unnecessary here;
since the same is expressed by the word 'covetous', at the end
of the verse, and makes that a tautology; and moreover, by
leaving out this clause, the opposition appears more manifest,
between 'no striker' and what follows ('but patient')." - GillIV. NOT QUARRELSOME (1Ti 3:3)A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., amachos - "not contentious; abstaining from fighting"
- Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "not quarrelsome" (NKJV, NRSV)
b. "not a brawler" (KJV)
c. "not contentious" (ASV)
d. "peaceable" (NASB)
3. Used elsewhere:
a. Required of all Christians - Tit 3:2
b. A similar word used of servants of the Lord - cf. 2Ti 2:24B. THE APPLICATION...
1. The elder "should not be a man given to contention, or apt to
take up a quarrel. The Greek is, literally, 'Not disposed to
fight.' - Barnes
2. "This does not mean that one is not to stand and contend for
the truth, but many are ready to contend over unimportant
matters. Such always live in foment and strife. Even truth and
right should not be maintained in a contentious spirit."
- LipscombV. NOT COVETOUS (1Ti 3:3)A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., aphilarguros - not loving money, not avaricious - Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "not covetous" (NKJV, KJV)
b. "no lover of money" (ASV)
c. "free from the love of money" (NASB)
d. "not a lover of money" (NRSV)
3. Used elsewhere:
a. A virtue expected of all Christians - He 13:5
b. The vice of covetousness condemned as idolatry - Ep 5:5; Co
3:5
c. The love of money (philarguria) is a root of all kinds of
evil - 1Ti 6:10B. THE APPLICATION...
1. "Not only must the overseer be a man who is far removed from
the Judas-like attitude (Jn 12:6) of trying to enrich himself
by dishonest means...but he must also be far removed from
making the acquisition of earthly treasure his chief goal in
life even though the means employed should be honest."
- Hendriksen
2. "A man should not be put into the ministry who is
characteristically a lover of money. Such a one, no matter what
his talents may be, has no proper qualification for the office,
and will do more harm than good." - BarnesVI. NOT A NOVICE (1Ti 3:6)A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., neophutos - "newly planted; a new convert, neophyte (one
who has recently become a Christian)" - Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "not a novice" (NKJV, KJV, ASV)
b. "not a new convert" (NASB)
c. "must not be a recent convert" (NRSV)
3. Not used anywhere else in the Scriptures - yet cf. 1Co 3:1; He
5:12-13 ("babes")
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. Paul explains why this qualification is necessary ("lest being
puffed up pride he fall...")
2. "The particular peril of a young convert who is placed in a
position of prominence and power is that of pride...a 'novice'
might be puffed up with self-conceit and vanity, and so fall
under the doom incurred by devil, and ceasing to be a minister
of light, he might become a instrument of darkness." - ErdmanVII. NOT SELF-WILLED (Tit 1:7)A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., authades - "self-pleasing, self-willed, arrogant" - Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "not self-willed" (NKJV, KJV, ASV, NASB)
b. "must not be arrogant" (NRSV)
3. Used elsewhere: in regards to those who despise authority
- 2Pe 2:10B. THE APPLICATION...
1. "Not doing things in the worship and house of God, in the
ministry of the word, and administration of ordinances,
according to his own will, but according to the will of God,
revealed in his word; otherwise what he does will come under
the name of will worship." - Gill
2. "...he must not be of such a stubborn spirit that he clings to
his own will and refuses to listen to reason or facts. One in
such a position must have the sincere desire to fully
investigate all sides, to know the full truth, and then be
guided by it, and not by the self-will of his own." - LipscombVIII. NOT QUICK-TEMPERED (Tit 1:7)A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., orgilos - "prone to anger, irascible" - Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "not quick-tempered" (NKJV, NASB, NRSV)
b. "not soon angry" (KJV, ASV)
3. Not used anywhere else in the Scriptures - yet cf. Jm 1:19-20
("slow to wrath")
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. An elder must not be "soon and easily provoked and inflamed.
How unfit are those to govern a church who cannot govern
themselves, or their own turbulent and unruly passions! The
minister must be meek and gentle, and patient towards all men."
- Henry
2. An elder must be "one who can restrain and govern himself [He
should not be one ever ready with an angry, hasty word,
remembering always his Master, 'who, when he was reviled,
reviled not again.']." - Lipscomb [J. W. Shepherd]CONCLUSION
1. The list of negative qualities can be revealing about the work of
elders...
a. It can test one's patience (e.g., when there is murmuring,
discontent, or apathy among brethren)
b. It can place one in volatile situations (e.g., that faced by the
apostles, cf. Ac 6:1-2)
c. It can be tempting for those attracted by money (e.g., Judas, the
Pharisees)
2. For the flock of God to be well-fed and well-led, it requires men who
meet both...
a. The positive qualities (what an elder must be)
b. The negative qualities (what an elder must not be)
Our next study will review the duties of the sheep toward their
shepherds...